U.S. Marines from Delta Company, Infantry Training Battalion, navigate their way through the obstacle course earlier this month at Camp Geiger, N.C.

Written by

Jim Michaels
| USA Today

Mist clings to the ground, and the sun won't make an appearance for another three hours. The 263 Marines of Delta Company, Infantry Training Battalion, shoulder their bulky packs and set off.

The air is still cool, but 85-pound packs are heavy. Soon the Marines are sweating through their uniforms, and noncommissioned officers are shouting encouragement for stragglers to keep up.

The Marine Corps has been training infantrymen here since 1953. This year is different. Among Delta Company's 263 Marines are 13 women who have volunteered to participate in a closely watched experiment on the ...